Narcotics Science Advisor

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS (INL) You have received this "Personal Services Contractor (PSC) solicitation through the Department of State (DOS) Internet site. If you have any questions regarding this PSC, you may contact the DOS Official named in this solicitation. The Department is not responsible for any data and/or text not received when retrieving this document electronically. Amendments to solicitation documents generally contain information critical to the submission of an application. Position Title: Narcotics Science Advisor Location: Washington, DC Salary Level: GS-14 - $142,488 - $185,234 Period of performance: The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions. Issuance Date: May 21, 2025 Closing date: May 29, 2025 Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET Solicitation Number: PSC-25-018-INL Job description: See below Dear Prospective Offerors: The Department of State is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services for the subject position under a personal services contract, as described in this solicitation. Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: 1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 2. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer your resume must include: a. Paid a non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for any overseas experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements. b. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work. c. Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). d. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. e. U.S. Citizenship Note: Resume must contain explicit information to make a valid determination that the candidate meets the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information needs to be clearly identified in the resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. 3. Evaluation Factor document specifically addressing: Each of the Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation below. Responses must be limited to 500 words per Evaluation Factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Note: The Evaluation Factors are worth 70 out of 100 points. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have receive that are relevant to each Factor. 4. Professional References: Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Complete applications must be emailed to: Dominique Chittum, U.S. Department of State, INL/EX/GAPP, contact@example.gov Sincerely, Margaret Renee Gaudreau Contracting Officer, U.S. Department of State SUBJECT A solicitation for a Personal Services Contractor (PSC), Department of State (DOS), Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The United States Government (USG), represented by the DOS, seeks applications from US citizens interested in providing PSC services as described in this solicitation. PRE-AWARD ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF PSC (JUN 2011) This solicitation may result in the award of one or more personal services contracts as defined in FAR 2.101. Prior to contract award, all offerors or quotes must advise the cognizant Contracting Officer if they have a personal conflict of interest, such as a financial conflict, that would prevent them from either meeting the requirements of the clause entitled, - Post-Award Ethical Responsibilities of Personal Services Contractors, or otherwise objectively performing their contractual duties upon contract award. HOW TO APPLY Offerors proposal shall be in accordance with the requirements stated in this solicitation at the place and time specified. A proposal will be determined non-responsive and ineligible for consideration unless all required documents and information are included in the submission. Offerors shall ensure their resume demonstrates their possession of the minimum qualifications outlined in this Solicitation, as well as their ability to fulfill all required duties. The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by the offeror during the solicitation process. NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION This solicitation in no way obligates the Department of State to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit the Department of State to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. Proposals must include the following and not exceed twenty (20) pages (additional pages will not be accepted or reviewed): 1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 2. Resume 3. Evaluation Factor Responses 4. Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. Note: Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. Additional documents submitted beyond the requirements will not be accepted or reviewed. *** ONE PDF ATTACHMENT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VETERAN'S PREFERENCE Veteran's preference is not applicable to this position therefore do not submit DD-214. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NONDISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR. Equal employment opportunity policy - The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of: INL/Dominique Chittum E-mail: contact@example.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Dominique Chittum E-mail: contact@example.gov INL will not accept proposals beyond the closing time/date; unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal. GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT Mission of the U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President's principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State's mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous, and secure world. Mission of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL): The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is part of the Under Secretariat for Arms Control and International Security (T) within the Department of State (DOS). INL's mission is to minimize the impact of international crime and illegal drugs on the United States and its citizens by providing effective foreign assistance and fostering global cooperation. The Office of Knowledge Management (INL/KM) provides technical assistance to INL program offices in addressing the full range of counternarcotics and criminal justice development issues in over 90 partner countries around the globe and with international organizations. Technical advisory assistance includes developing standardized approaches to assessments and technical assistance, reviewing international drug policy issues for evidence-based criteria, and identifying best practices across subject areas. INL/KM also assists INL programs by identifying, networking, and leveraging expertise from across the bureau. INL/KM also is responsible for developing strategic partnerships with international and U.S. state, county, municipal, and federal law enforcement, justice sector, corrections, and public health agencies and institutions to bring up-to-date and relevant expertise to bear on INL programs. The United States drug control strategy includes drug supply reduction, a core component in the fight against illicit drug availability and misuse. Currently, INL manages counternarcotics programs in numerous countries and transnational programs. INL supports programs designed to counter the illicit manufacture, trafficking, and use of drugs. Additionally, INL leads the Department's engagement in several expert fora on drug control. The purpose of this Personal Services Contract is to perform the duties of a Narcotics Science Advisor (Advisor) who will be part of INL/KM's Continuing Education Division. The Advisor will serve as a policy and technical advisor on a full range of issues related to narcotics, drug supply reduction, and science activities. S/he will serve as a resource for INL program managers by providing expert guidance in how to assess, design, and monitor counternarcotics programs that are consistent with U.S. foreign policy goals and directives. The Advisor will also provide narcotics science and drug supply reduction-related technical expertise within INL, and on behalf of the bureau, in interagency and international / multilateral settings drawing on his/her scientific background, particularly in the fields of neuroscience and pharmacology. The Advisor will review and remain cognizant on current drug-related public health scientific research, analysis, and findings from influential organizations. The Advisor will provide written and oral analysis, interpretations, and recommendations on drug control-related scientific matters, particularly those with a nexus to neuroscience and pharmacology, of importance to U.S. foreign policy, including briefings to senior Department of State (DOS) officials and foreign governments. In consultation with the team lead and program offices, the Advisor will participate in the development of drug control policies and programs in the area of illicit narcotics use prevention and treatment, particularly in the fields of neuroscience and pharmacology, by researching issues in assigned program areas and drafting proposed guidelines and explanatory material. Additionally, the Advisor will support U.S. international counternarcotics programs, consultations, and conferences. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of a Washington-based INL/KM Cross-Cutting Team Lead or his/her designee, the Advisor will perform the following duties: - Maintain current understanding of U.S. counternarcotics priorities, strategies, and current events, particularly for synthetic drugs and precursor control. - Serve as the primary advisory resource for INL program managers in Washington and in the field on scientific and technical aspects of programs designed to counter the illicit manufacture, trafficking, and use of drugs. - Provide assistance to bilateral and centrally managed counternarcotics programs for activities directed at supporting the assessment, delivery, management, and evaluation of foreign assistance related to international drug control to further United States foreign policy interests and alignment with international drug control conventions. - Provide INL policy staff with scientific/technical analysis of emerging drug and precursor chemical trends, including recommendations for appropriate domestic and international regulatory control measures. - Lead coordination of KM support to the bureau's engagement and program tracking in drug control and counternarcotics. - Contribute to strategic planning to align INL-funded foreign assistance programming with administration priorities, including an America First foreign policy to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. - Serve as lead KM POC for INL/GPP's multilateral affairs and global programs teams focusing on counternarcotics programs and international organizations including the Organization of American State's Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and the International Narcotics Control Board. - Serve as an advisory resource for INL policy and programmatic staff on scientific proposals relating to international drug classification/regulation and anti-diversion controls. - Execute Knowledge Integration portfolio by receiving support requests from across the bureau and designing a comprehensive, tailored KM response; ensures KM product development is consistent and integrates all relevant expertise perspectives. - Prepare background and briefing materials, speeches and talking points for a range of Department of State staff including but not limited to the KM Office Director, INL Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretaries. - Draft statements of work, reports, program plans, training curricula or other materials as needed. - Write and contribute to assessment reports in a timely manner. - Coordinate with Training and Program Design offices to incorporate relevant subject matter in INL training materials and program management tools. - Organize workshops for INL and embassy staff on international narcotics science and drug control policy and programs. - Contribute to policy development through briefing of senior officials, participation in interagency working groups, and interaction with foreign governments in bilateral and multilateral settings. - Liaise with DOS bureaus outside of INL on counternarcotics matters, including the Bureau of Intelligence and Research and the Office of the Legal Adviser for Law Enforcement and Intelligence. - Represent INL in interagency meetings, processes, and events, including by liaising with the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Food and Drug Administration. - Participate in or support others participation in bilateral/trilateral/multilateral dialogues, including the U.S.-EU Drugs Dialogue, the North American Drugs Dialogue, the UN General Assembly, and the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs. - Participate in international expert working group meetings as necessary and in coordination with other INL offices. - Provide surge support to INL program offices as needed. - Participates as a technical expert in technical review panels. - When required, performs the role of Duty Officer. - Performs other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. - Performs services that fall within the general scope of work and overall INL mission at physical locations other than Washington INL headquarters, including within other INL offices, bureaus or other USG agencies for a period not to exceed six (6) months. TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES 1. Completes the mandatory High Threat Security Overseas Seminar within 30 days of start of contract. 2. If needed, completes the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course and/or the Grants Officer Representative DL course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 30 days of supervisor's request. 3. Works with the INL Program Office/Post to determine a timeline for completing the INL Staff Orientation and Readiness Training (SOAR). 4. Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The place of performance for this position is Washington, DC. Periodic travel domestically and internationally is required, including travel on occasion to locations with austere and difficult conditions. RELATIONSHIPS The Advisor will report to the INL/KM Cross-Cutting Team Lead who reports to the Continuing Education and Training Division Chief. This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities. The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer (CO) in Washington. In no instance shall the Team Lead or any other individual be authorized to alter or modify the terms and conditions of the contract or waive the Government's requirements, price, delivery, or other terms and conditions. The Contracting Officer must authorize such changes in writing. The Internal Team Lead will provide yearly performance reviews to the INL/EX/GAPP Contracting Officer in Washington, D.C. to contribute to the incumbent's official yearly review. TELEWORK This position allows for situational telework. Telework is authorized by the supervisor and CO and is subject to change based on Bureau or office needs. COMPLEXITY The work involves managing and providing technical expertise for various counternarcotics programs, simultaneously, as well as leading efforts that will have a major impact on the way in which the INL bureau utilizes and accesses subject matter expertise essential to its work. The ability to perform complex analysis, meet short deadlines and to multi-task successfully is essential. SCOPE & EFFECTIVENESS The Advisor performs a broad range of such as providing technical guidance, analysis, and information related to countering the illicit manufacture, trafficking, and use of drugs. Knowledge of development practices and approaches coupled with technical experience is necessary to help design well-conceived drug supply reduction programs that produce viable results. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Secret level security clearance, medical clearance, and ethics clearance (if applicable). (Security clearance upgrade to Top Secret level may be required.) 2. Doctoral degree or equivalent from an accredited institution in a field of science related to narcotics use, particularly focused on neuroscience and pharmacology. 3. A minimum of five (5) years of progressive professional experience related to neuroscience and pharmacology, and which provided applicant with the knowledge to assist in the development, implementation, and oversight of INL worldwide counternarcotics programs; or, a. A minimum of two (2) years of direct experience working on drug control policy. 4. A minimum of two (2) years of experience advising or managing foreign assistance-funded programs, particularly focused on counternarcotics. 5. Demonstrated experience representing an organization in high-level inter-agency settings and in multilateral meetings. 6. Prior experience working with international organizations and other U.S. government agencies, particularly international drug control organizations including United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, International Narcotics Control Board, and United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. 7. Prior experience designing and delivering adult-learning products to educate on drugs and counternarcotics. EVALUATION FACTORS (Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors.) Offerors should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Factor 1: Knowledge/Abilities (30 Points) Demonstrated knowledge and experience developing programs and policies related to countering the illicit manufacture, trafficking and use of drugs. Demonstrated experience providing subject matter expertise to U.S. government entities on a range of topics related to synthetic drugs and precursor chemical control, including in a multilateral environment. Factor 2: Liaison and Coordination (30 points) Demonstrated experience coordinating and liaising with members of relevant U.S. government agencies, subject matter experts, domestic law enforcement, and the international community for the purpose of providing support, developing, gathering and disseminating information and developing complementary policies and programs. Demonstrated successful track record of working in a team environment. Factor 3: Communication and Best Practices (10 points) Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a timely and concise manner, and to interact effectively with others at all levels, in order to prepare, analyze, explain and defend policy and guidance on complex issues. Experience briefing high level U.S. government officials. BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards. The Offeror Rating System is as Follows: Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points: Factor #1 - 30 Factor #2 - 30 Factor #3 - 10 Total Possible - 70 Points Interview Performance - 30 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks - Pass/Fail (no points assigned) Past performance evaluation of applicant's ability to perform under the contract. In conducting the evaluation, the U.S. government reserves the right to utilize all evaluation information available at the time of evaluation, whether provided by the applicant or obtained from other sources. Total Possible Points: 100 The most qualified candidates may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. INL will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, applications (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that an applicant has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, INL reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. COMPENSATION (BASE PAY) This position has been designated at the GS-14 equivalent level ($142,488 - $185,234 per annum). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, salary and educational background. Salaries, including any recruitment supplemental pay that exceeds the listed pay range, will not be entertained or negotiated. For award, INL will negotiate for this contract based on the market value as outlined above and overall experience relevant to the solicitation requirements. BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES AS A MATTER OF POLICY, INL NORMALLY AUTHORIZES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES BENEFITS - IF APPLICABLE - Employee's FICA/Medicare Contribution - Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance - Pay Comparability Adjustment - Annual Increase - Eligibility for Worker's Compensation - Annual, Sick and Home Leave - 401K Plan - MEDVAC (provided by DOS Med) ALLOWANCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARDIZED REGULATIONS (DSSR) - IF APPLICABLE - Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (TQSA) or Per Diem upon arrival at Post - Housing Allowance - Post Allowance - Supplemental Post Allowance - Maintenance Allowance (SMA) - Education Allowance - Educational Travel (full-time United States based secondary) - Post Hardship Differential - Danger Pay - Shipment of HHE, UAB, POV and Consumables